What Is a Site Security Risk Assessment? (And Why Your Property Needs One)

Most property owners who contact us for bollard installation start with a simple request: "I need bollards in front of my building." But when we ask where specifically, how many, what type, and what are you protecting against — the answers get vague fast.

That's not a criticism. It's the reality of property security: you don't know what you don't know. That's exactly what a site security risk assessment solves.

What Is a Site Security Risk Assessment?

A site security risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of your property's physical vulnerabilities to vehicle intrusion, pedestrian safety gaps, and traffic flow hazards. It produces a detailed report identifying specific risks and recommending specific solutions — with locations, specifications, and prioritized actions.

Think of it as a diagnostic before treatment. You wouldn't let a doctor operate without an examination. Similarly, installing barriers without an assessment means you're guessing — and guessing means you'll either overspend on protection you don't need or miss vulnerabilities that matter.

What Gets Evaluated

A comprehensive site security risk assessment examines seven key areas:

1. Vehicle Approach Analysis

We identify every path a vehicle could take to reach your building, pedestrian areas, or critical assets. This includes:

For each approach, we calculate the maximum achievable speed and the kinetic energy a vehicle would carry at impact — this determines what level of bollard protection is needed.

2. Pedestrian Conflict Mapping

We map every location where vehicle paths cross pedestrian paths:

• Building entrances and exits
• Crosswalk locations
• Transit stops and pick-up/drop-off zones
• Outdoor dining areas and patios
• Playground and daycare adjacencies

Each conflict point is rated by severity: how many pedestrians, how fast vehicles approach, and how visible the conflict is to drivers.

3. Building Vulnerability Assessment

Not all building faces need the same protection. We evaluate:

4. Existing Protection Audit

We assess what protection is already in place:

• Existing bollards — type, condition, spacing, and adequacy
• Curbs, planters, and landscaping features (these are not vehicle barriers)
• Fencing and gates
• Speed control measures — bumps, humps, and signage
• Line painting and markings — pedestrian zones, fire lanes, directional flow

5. Traffic Flow Evaluation

We analyze vehicle traffic patterns to identify:

• Speeding patterns and high-speed approach zones
• Congestion points where vehicles and pedestrians converge
• Blind corners and limited-sightline areas
• Loading dock operations and truck manoeuvring zones

6. Crime and Threat Assessment

For properties at risk of intentional vehicle attacks, we evaluate:

• Local ram-raid incident history
• Proximity to high-crime areas
• Business type risk profile (pharmacies, cannabis, liquor, jewellery)
• Previous incidents on or near the property

7. Regulatory Compliance Review

We check your property against applicable regulations:

• Municipal fire lane requirements
• Alberta Building Code accessible parking requirements
• Alberta OHS workplace safety requirements for warehouse and industrial properties
• Insurance policy requirements for physical security measures

What You Get: The Assessment Report

The deliverable is a detailed report containing:

1. 1Risk map — aerial view of your property with every identified vulnerability marked and colour-coded by severity (critical, high, moderate, low)
2. 2Recommended solutions — specific bollard types, barrier systems, line painting, and speed control measures for each identified risk
3. 3Priority ranking — which vulnerabilities to address first based on severity, likelihood, and cost
4. 4Specification details — bollard diameter, material, footing depth, spacing, and finish for each location
5. 5Cost estimates — budget-level pricing for each recommended installation
6. 6Compliance notes — any regulatory gaps identified during the review

Who Needs a Site Security Risk Assessment?

High Priority

Moderate Priority

What It Costs

A site security risk assessment for a typical commercial property in Edmonton or Calgary runs $500–$2,500 depending on property size and complexity. That investment typically identifies $5,000–$50,000+ in risk exposure that can be systematically addressed.

Many property owners find that the assessment actually saves money by preventing over-installation — instead of putting bollards everywhere, you put them where they actually matter.

The Bottom Line

Guessing where to put bollards is like guessing where to put smoke detectors — you might get lucky, or you might miss the room that catches fire. A site security risk assessment removes the guesswork and gives you a prioritized, costed plan for protecting your property.